Thursday 3rd July 2014 will go down in history as a landmark day for the Heaton Park Tramway, as it was on this day that the new Lakeside Depot was officially opened. Although trams have been stabled inside the new building since the end of last year and a few jobs remain outstanding (most notably the completion of a third track), this project is now considered largely complete and therefore the milestone was celebrated appropriately.
The relatively low-key ceremony was attended by invited guests, including working members, local councillors and representatives of other tramway organisations. These guests initially gathered in the tramway’s original depot before being ferried to Lakeside on Blackpool 623, whilst a brass band rode on Vanguard 619 to provide some musical accompaniment for the proud moment when the depot was officially declared open, after the usual speeches from various dignitaries. The architect responsible for the new building, Jeff Marshall, was then giving the honour of driving Manchester 765 out of the Lakeside Depot as its doors were flung open to reveal its contents to the assembled crowd. Inside three further local trams were available for inspection, with both Oldham 43 and Manchester 173 having had their protective covering removed for the occasion, whilst Stockport 5 was displayed prominently right at the front of the shed, ensuring that despite being out of action it was still able to play a major role in this historic event. This was also of course 765‘s first official duty since its recent overhaul, ahead of a full return to use on Sunday 6th July at the event to celebrate its centenary year.
The Manchester Transport Museum Society have overcome countless obstacles to reach this point, and are deservedly very proud of what has been achieved. To construct such a large and impressive building in which to house their expanded tram fleet will probably be remembered as their greatest achievement yet, and leaves us all wondering what they could be capable of in years to come if they continue to be supported as well as they have been with the depot project!
Preparations for the grand opening of Lakeside Depot early on July 3rd, with Manchester 765 and Stockport 5 awaiting their moment in the limelight.
Blackpool Vanguard 619 with the brass band on board at the Lakeside terminus, as the depot opening ceremony gets underway.
Manchester 765 is driven out of the new depot to officially open the building.
Inside the depot several hidden gems were available to view, including recent arrival Oldham 43. On the far left, the stunning Manchester 173 can also be seen.
Shouldn't there be a Balloon car in that depot!? Well no, as 702 was stabled on the rarely used siding at the old Lakeside terminus for the day, where it is shown here. (All photos by Joe Savage)